drive shaft length

i have a shortbed chevy and just put a trnsmission in that has a longtail cone. i am asking how should i measureit to go get oe made to the length i want it because they dont make the size i need.

Again what im aksing is should i let it down as far as it goes and then measure it from center of u joint to center of u joint or measure it mwhen it is jacked up. any answers will be aprecited thanks.

bump. does anyone know i need to findout so i can ge mine back on the road.

I would assume that you would measure the lenght of the drive shaft at half travel or ride hieght. As far as where to measure it from point a to point b, I would contact the shop where you are going to have it made at. They will tell you where to measure it from. I had a few done at a few places and its been different each time.

thanks man

im not 100% on this but i was told to set it at ride height then take the yolk and slide it in the tranny all the way and then pull it out 1 inch. then measure the distance from the flange on the yolk to the flange on the rear and that should be your length. i would check though and make sure that thats enough slack so your suspension doesnt push the drive shaft to far when you lay your truck all the way out. like i said not 100% but thats what i was told in school.

alright thanks guys